Resources

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Hi there! My name is Kelsie Ann and I'm the author of Cut, Craft, Create. I'm a full time Domestic Operations Engineer (i.e. Stay at home mama!) and love every minute of it. My days are spent with my punny-funny husband and my *almost* always smiling, what-a-total-ham toddler son. I LOVE to do all sorts of crafts- from sewing to scrapbooking to home decor and holiday and just as much, I love to share them with you! I also love chocolate (dark is the best!) and coffee because- well... it's amazing.

I believe that everyone has the "crafty gene" (it's true!) and work to bring you a variety of crafts for all- from the first time crafter to the expert. As a new mama, I am also getting more involved in kids projects- either with them or for them. Now those are fun!

I love hearing about you and your crafty adventures so please don't hesitate to send me a message letting me know what you like (what you don't!), what you are working on or if you want my input on a project. I certainly don't have all the answers but that's what creativity is all about- working with one another to inspire new ideas out of old ones.

As a new portion of the blog, I have added a Giveaways tab! After taking over a year off from the blog and finding that you all stuck with me, I want to say "thank you" by giving you free stuff! As a new mother and ever-learning crafter I also want to share with you products that I use and trust. I've often been asked what products I prefer for certain projects so I thought a full review would be helpful for those searching. Since children's products are so vast and my mama {daddy/grandparent/etc.} following is growing, I also wanted to give you the opportunity to review and hear about my favorites there as well. Check out that tab for updates and freebies!

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a little better. I would love to learn more about you!Kelsie Ann

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Welcome back friends! For those of you who are new to Cut, Craft, Create- thanks for joining me! Besides a few breaks for giveaways (because, how fun is giving away awesome stuff?!), I have spent each week of 2016 thus far showing off details from my son's nursery. I hope these tips and tricks have inspired you not only to create a precious nursery but to use the ideas throughout your home.

If you have missed it so far, catch up on tips 1, 2,3 and 4 by clicking the links.

This week I wanted to show off one of my favorite elements from the nursery. It is so simple to do but makes a huge statement!

Funny story about the frame. My husband was cleaning out one of our buildings that is full of junk from the previous owners. I happened to walk past the truck and see this BEAUTIFUL frame tossed into the truck bed. Not only was it a big frame but it is such a pretty off white/ivory color (it's hard to see in these photos because the lighting in the nursery is poor) and is naturally distressed. My husband thought it looked like it needed cleaned up, I thought it was perfect.

All I had to do was grab some twine, tie it to the frame (nothing fancy, look closely, you can see it wrapped around the frame!) and voila!

When I first hung this up, I wasn't sure what outfit was going to hang in it. I thought maybe the hospital outfit or one of his first little onesies. However, at the baby shower my mom hosted, I met this handmade Peter Rabbit romper and it was love at first sight! My mom purchased it from etsy for my son to wear and never thought it would become a staple in the nursery decor. (Because it's a non stretchy material and my son has one giant head, he never actually fit into it. *boo hoo hoo* By the time he was tall enough his head was too big. I think it would probably have fit a more "average" sized baby. The seller offered to return it but I love it hanging!) I'm just glad we were able to display it this way so that such a beautiful piece was used in one way or another.

{Photo from my baby shower. My mom made that personalized onesie and bib!}

Finish by hanging your outfit up using a couple clothespins. You can buy a whole pack of them for $1 at the dollar store. I painted these green to match the nursery decor.

{Loving this romper? Head over to Cornflower Creations on etsy to see all of her designs for purchase.}

Want to make some super cute decorative clothespins out of the blank dollar store ones? Check out this post from our wedding!

I positioned this lovely piece of artwork above the changing station (check back in future weeks for a tutorial on how to make your own!) and it's perfect! Because of it's large frame it draws your attention and takes up a good amount of wall space. However, because it doesn't weigh much, I feel comfortable hanging it above something that my baby is laying on!

There you have it. Told you it was simple... and oh so lovely. I only wish the photos did that old frame justice!

This would be a great decorating idea for another child's room or a "man-cave" (think favorite player's jersey!) as well as any other themed nursery.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Today I want to take a break from the decorating series that we have been working on (Haven't been following along? Catch up on tips from posts 1, 2,3 and 4!) to share a quick Valentine's tip for you. If you're like me, you might want to do a little something for the kiddos in your life (be it your own, friend's kids or nieces and nephews) but you are JUST. SO. BUSY.

Seriously, is it possible that I spend an entire day making meals, cleaning up meals and going up and down the stairs (my son loves the stairs so we spend a lot of time there)? I know that there is no way I'm going to get some adorable Valentine's craft made for all of my nieces and nephews.

... in steps Target's Dollar Bins. Come on ladies- you know what I'm talking about here. The mecca of adorable stuff priced at $1 (or sometimes just a dollar or two more). This year it was my saving grace and I want to share with you how I put together really cute Valentines for $4 a kid.

{Paw Patrol? Frozen? For a DOLLAR? I seriously love this store.}

Step 1: Check out your local Target store and see what goodies you can find. If yours has these envelopes, get one for each child. I can't get over how sweet they are and it makes such a neat presentation. All of mine are getting mailed out so having something like this seems more fun that just having a bunch of random things shoved in a paper mailer (plus it keeps the items separate for each child if going to siblings!)

Step 2: Buy the stuff and GET OUT OF THE STORE before you spend 10 million dollars. You know what I mean....

Step 3: Include a card (I made these in just a few minutes at home) and write a message for your little loved one.

Easy Peasy. If you have magically found some free time and want to create a Valentine's gift, check out some of my other posts:

Want something even better? How about a GIVEAWAY?
Buying is easier than making- sure, but winning is even better than buying! Cut, Craft, Create has teamed up with Freshly Picked and Chubby Bunny, Happy Home to bring you some awesome goodies for your lovely little one!

Freshly Picked

Freshly Picked is this amazing little company that makes beautiful moccasins for your babe's feet. (Okay, they actually have apparel, soft and hard sole shoes, women's shoes and "Bringing Home Baby Bundles") but they got started by making the soft sole moccs we all know and love.

You might have seen them on ABC's Shark Tank or have heard about them from one of their every-growing list of followers. I've been obsessed with the company for several months now and I just can't get over how great these shoes are.

Here's why:
1. They are adorable. Let's be fair, cute baby stuff is the best. Here are some of my favorites:

{Colors are as pictured L-R
Heirloom in Creme and Gold, Weathered Brown, Blush,

2. They stay ON BABE's FEET! They are brilliant and have created a shoe that doesn't fall off. My son even has trouble pulling them off his feet and he is Houdini when it comes to that.

{These sweet little moccs will always hold a special place in my heart. Because of their soft sole they were the perfect "first shoe" for my bare-foot loving kid. He took some of his first steps in these}

3. They last a long time. Ask anyone who has owned a pair and they will tell you that these are some good quality shoes. They are made with a thicker leather that supports rough play and day to day kid life. Even when they start to look a little roughed up an easy "wipe clean" seems to magically restore them to new. (I wasn't so sure about this after my son tore them all up over Thanksgiving but see for yourselves...)

{These are my son's FP moccs before and after. I expected them to get cleaner but was surprised at how the "wrinkles" even cleared. They are like new shoes again!}

This giveaway portion is for (1) pair of soft-soled moccasins in the design and size of your choice (a $60 value!) and is open to residents of the United States.

Chubby Bunny, Happy HomeCBHH is actually a small business that my mom and I started and own. We create hand-crafted items for your home and baby. We are big believers in supporting small business and in the quality of items created by hand.

{You could win one of these bandana bibs in the pattern of your choice! Perfect for a teething baby to catch that drool, as a fashion statement or- in this case in the picture- as a bib for food!}

We thought that your little one needed even more this Valentine's Day because... why not? That's the fun of a giveaway! We love sharing the items we make with little ones from all around.

{Machine washable, vinyl lined (for wet snacks such as grapes or apple slices!) and oh-so-cute this bag travels anywhere and stays closed with an easy to use velcro flap}

What? One more item? You lucky thing, you.

{Get this "I'm acute kid" design in any onesie sizes 0-3 month through 12 month or in children's T-shirt size of your choice. Made with professional grade heat press, the design lasts wash after wash}

This portion of the giveaway is for (1) Reversable Bandana Bib in fabrics of your choice, (1) Vinyl-Lined Reusable Snack Bag and (1) "I'm acute kid" onesie or t-shirt in the size of your choice (a $25 value!) and is open to residents of the United States.